Tire recommendation for wet track work?
 

For the super-experienced track guys - any guidance you can offer on a tire choice to run on the track in wet conditions?

Maybe an 'unlimited' option and one with a 200TW or higher regulation?

Unlimited: Hooser H20.

Hoosier H20.

Depends on "how wet". 200TW option... VR1 followed by RE11

Thanks, guys!


Out of curiosity, how would you compare the VR-1 to the RS-4 and AD08R in completely dry conditions?

Faster

Do they wear well? The RS-4 seem to allow tons of heat cycles. Are the VR-1 like that too? Hopefully the 255/40R17 will be offered in their S2 compound for next season.


It's sounding like I could just move from RS4 to VR-1 and cover both my dry and wet weather needs - at least when new.


I also stumbled across the RC-1 when reading about the VR-1. I imagine these are these even quicker in the dry - but don't see a 245 or 255/40R17 fitment :(

You're not going to heat cycle tires if it's soaking wet with puddles.

Most guys need to work on car control and getting out there without rains will teach you a lot.

I run the AD08R and it's a good balance of wet/dry which is important if you drive to the track with rain conditions. Good overall tire.

I just love wet tracks. Nobody out, easy on brakes and tires and BIGGGGGGG slip angles plus forces you to use a different line in some corners

Sorry - I meant as a dry weather tire.


You've said the VR-1 is a faster tire than the RS4 and AD08R, so I'm thinking I will just buy VR-1's and be done with it for both wet and dry conditions.


I'll keep a set of new VR-1s mounted for the rain and burn off my RS4s as dry weather tires at the start of next season. Then I will make the VR-1 rains my dry weather tire and buy another set to mount up for use as wets.

Keep in mind the comparison assumes the car is optimized to each car.

The VR1 does heat cycle, but at abotu the same pace as RS4. The AD08R cycles slower than both the VR1 and RS4, and is faster at the end of each tire's lives.

Based on my experiences this year, RE71R!

At Palmer in the pouring rain on RE71Rs, I caught and passed a much faster and well-driven T60 (I'm in slower T40 class) Miata who was on Hoosier H2Os. At Watkins Glen in the pouring rain, I caught a faster T50 Miata on Hoosier H20s driven by the best driver in the club (I've been out with him and he's certainly way better, faster, and more consistent than I am).
My car's softish near-stock setup (Swift BRZ Sport lowering springs and Raceseng camber plates) was probably a slight advantage, but I do think the RE71R is at least comparable to the H2O in the wet...

Dan,

I'm confident that driver was simply not comfortable in the conditions. A Hoosier H20 in the rain would feel almost like a RE71R in the dry.

I hope that response didn't rain on anyone's parade. :lol:

The age of Hoosier H2Os matters as well. If they are greater than 3-4 years old it will feel like driving on ice and lap times will be poor.